How to say "behind" in Japanese

• 後あとJLPT N5approx.Common
  no-adjectiveChiefly the word for 'after' in time and for what remains or comes next. For the spatial sense of 'behind' it is seldom what you want; that is 後ろ's territory.
  少女しょうじょたちのうち一人ひとりが後あとに残のこされた。↗

  One of the girls was left behind.
• 後ろうしろJLPT N5approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe usual choice for the spatial sense: the area or direction behind a person or thing, as with someone standing behind you or a seat at the back.
  後うしろを刈り上かりあげてください。↗

  I want it tapered in the back.
• 尻しりJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounIn this entry 'behind' is the noun for the buttocks — the body part, not a position or direction, so it is no help for spatial uses.
  彼かれは女の子おんなのこの尻しりばかり追おいかけている。↗

  He's always chasing girls.
• 後方こうほうCommon
  no-adjectiveA formal-sounding noun for the rear as an area or direction; it belongs in written descriptions, reports and announcements rather than casual speech.
  キング牧師ぼくしは首くびを撃うたれ、後方こうほうに倒たおれた。↗

  Rev. King fell backwards, shot in the neck.
• 裏手うらてCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers the area at the back of a building or the like — 'behind the station', 'round the back of the hotel' — rather than people or abstract senses.
  彼かれはこっそりと歩あるいて家いえの裏手うらてのドアへと回まわった。↗

  He sneaked around to the back door.

For the spatial sense reach for 「後ろ」; 後方 is a formal noun for the rear, 裏手 the back of a building, 尻 names the buttocks, and 後 mainly means 'after' rather than 'behind'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 後あとbehind
• 後ろうしろback
• 尻しりbuttocks
• 後方こうほうrear
• 裏手うらてback (esp. of a building, etc.)
• 後方しりえrear
• 奥おくrecesses (of one's mind)
• 裏うらrear
• 陰かげbehind (something)
• 後ろ手うしろでbehind
• 影かげbehind